Device for filling and draining washing machines, and the like



Oct. 10, 1933. J J REEDY ET AL 1,930,284

DEVICE FOR FILLING AND DRAINING WASHING MACHINES. AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 3. 1931 I I I VE TORS 'ATTORN Patented Oct. 10, 1933 1,930,284 FILLING ANDDRAINING WASH- 1 Application September 3 us for filling ing machines and other re- This invention relates to apparat and draining wash ce'ptacles. I I e v 'It has been proposed heretofore to use'an .5 apparatus'working on the injector principle'for this purpose, and the present invention aims particularly to improve this general type of apparatus with a view tomaking' it more'reliable in operation and more convenient to use.-

Thenature of the invention will be' readily understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying draw: ing, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a devi bodying' the present invention method of using the same; V e Figs. 2' and 3 are front and side views, respec-' tively, of the injector element of the apparatusj Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4 4-, Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of t in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the device gthere shown comprises an injector element or unit 2 which is shown more in-detail in the'other figures, and which is designed to be connected to a faucet 3. A discharge hose 4 is connected to the injector 2 in line with the faucet so that the flow of water directly through the injector will create suction in the body of the injector. A suction inlet opens laterally into this body and a tube or hose 5 is connected laterally to the injector and serves as a suction hose to conduct water from the washing machine tank 6, or other receptacle, into the injector where it will be discharged through the hose 4.

This general organization is similar to that used heretofore. It has been found, however, that difiiculty is experienced with the starting of the injector action in devices of this character, particularly if the hydraulic head through which the water must be lifted from the receptacle 6 is substantial, say for example, two or three feet. In addition to using devices of this kind for emptying or draining a washing machine or other receptacle, they are also used to fill it. This operation is accomplished by pinching the hose, or doubling it back upon itself, so that the water will not flow through it and maintaining it in this condition while the faucet 3 is opened and the receptacle is filled. Or, if two faucets are used, the hose 4 is connected to the other faucet, such as that shown I 7 cc emillustrating one he device shown hum n, and James L. Hilde- Mass.', said Hildebrand 'assignor 193 1; Serial No.5sa9z8 A at 7,111 the mamama in dotted lines in Fig. 1, both faucets then supplyingwater for: the filling" of the tub, or otherreceptaclelf- The pinching or bending'of 'the hose' 4 in the manner above described results in breaking the hose after "a time andrequiresth e constant attend-, ance by the operator while the tub is being filled. I I The present invention deals especially with these objections, and it aims to facilitateiboth the-draining and filling of the tub, and to make the draining action more positive and certain. Referring now to Figs. 2, 3"and'4, it is seen that the injector device 2 comprises a main body which provided with a relatively large internal suction chamber}. 'Sinceth i1 ,18vice is normally inanupright position when in use, it will be described as located in this manner, it being understood, however, that such description and the terminology" used in connection therewith is intended solely forthe' purpose'of clearly ex plaining the invention, and does not j limit the use of the device .to' any particularposition. Themaininlet for the chamber 8 is provided'at its upper" end, the incoming water flowing through a member 9 which is screw threaded into the body :2, is"internally, tapered, and is provided with a tubular extension 10 projecting downwardly into the chamber 8 for a considerabledistance' so that it delivers the water into the chamber in the form of a jet. This member is also utilized to hold the coupling 12, by means of which the injector may be secured to the faucet, in its operative position on the body. When the device is being used to drain a receptacle, the water discharged through the inlet member 9 into the chamber 8 flows directly through the bore 13 of the outlet nipple 14, this outlet being in line with the inlet. The suction tube 5 is connected to a side nipple 15 and communicates with a suction inlet 16 which opens laterally into the chamber 8 at approximately the level of the lower end of the tube 10.

We have found that the automatic starting of the injector action is made far more certain and positive by breaking up the stream of water which is discharged through the outlet 13. This pensive form of valve is provided to close the For this purpose the lower-wall of outlet 13. the chamber 8 immediately surroundingthe upper end of the outlet 13 is faced off toprovide a valve seat at 20, and ailap valve '21 is'mourit ed to swing into and out of engagement with the seat. This valve is secured on a shaft 22 which is mounted to rotate in the walk of the chamber, and a handle 23 is secured on the shaft outside of the body 2 and projects in the same general direction as the valve 21 sothat the weight of both'the handle and the valve are utilized in holdingthe, valve in its closed position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. This valve swings in approximately a vertical plane under the lower end of the tube 10. The chambet 8 is enlarged at-the side in'which the valve is located, and the shaft 22 is positioned at one side of the outlet 13 so that the entire valve and its supporting parts are out of the line of thejet of water discharged through the nipple 10. -It wil1 also be vobservedthat the valve is positioned opposite to the suction inlet 16 so that the .water entering the chamber through this inletftends to hold the valve open. This tendencyis alsov assisted by'the fact that the center of gravity of the swinging parts 21, 22 and 23'lies at the left, Fig. 4, of the axis of the shaft 22 when the valve is opened.

, In using this device to-fill the receptacle, the valve 22 is closed and the faucet 3 is opened. No further attention is required until it becomsnecessary to shut ofi the faucet. In using the device on two faucets, it may be connected to them in the usual manner, in which case the valve 22 is not used.'

The invention thus provides a'form of filling and draining device which can be manufactured'economically, is veryconvenient tov use, and in which the draining action is ,far' more reliable than'any prior constructions of this general character.

, ber in said main inlet for directing the incoming Having thus described our invention, what we desire to claim as new is:

1. A filling and draining device comprising a body having a suction chamber with a main inlet and an outlet opening into said chamber at the top and bottom thereof, respectively, and a suction inlet opening laterally into the chamber, said main inlet and said outletbeing substantially in alinement with each other, a memwater into said chamber in the form of a jet, a valve seat at'the upper end of said outlet, and a flap valvepivotally mounted at one side thereof, in said body to swing into and out of engagement with said seat to close or open the outlet. '2. A filling and draining device comprising a body having a suction chamber with a main inlet and an outlet opening into said chamber at the top and bottom thereof, repectively, and a suction inlet opening laterally into the chamber, said main inlet and said outlet being substantially in alinement with-each other, a member in said main inlet for directing the incoming water into said chamber .in the form of a jet, a-fiap valve seat at the upper end of said outlet, a valve for engaging said seat, means pivotally supporting said valve at one side thereof, for swinging movement in an approximately vertical plane into and out of engagement with said seat, and an operating element for said valve located outside of said body.

3. A filling and draining device comprising a body having a suction chamber with a main inlet and an outlet-opening into said chamber at the top and bottom thereof, respectively, and a 11 suction inlet opening laterally into the chamber, said main inlet and said outlet being substantially in alinement with each other, a member in said main inlet for directing the incoming water into said chamber in the form of a jet, a valve seat at the upper end of said; outlet, a horizontal shaft extending into said chamber at one side of said outlet, a valve mountedwon said shaft for movement into and out of engagement with said seat, and a handle secured m on said shaft outside of said body and extending in the same general direction as said valve.

JOSEPH REEDY. JAMES L. 'IHILDEBRAND. 

